Good morning, Parents,

The calendar for these next two weeks leading into Thanksgiving are a little different than the regular Winter Training Schedule.  They are as follows:

 

Monday 11/13:   No Practice

Tuesday 11/14: Boys CrossFit; Girls regular practice

Wednesday 11/15: Girls CrossFit; Boys regular practice

Thursday 11/16: Regular Practice

Friday 11/17: Boathouse Cleanup

Saturday 11/18: Both CrossFit

Tuesday 11/21: Boys CrossFit

Wednesday 11/22: Girls CrossFit

Saturday 11/25: Both CrossFit

Monday 11/27:  Regular Winter Training Schedule begins

 

Thank you,

Coach Justin

Good morning PNRA/ Mercer Parents athletes,

Attached is the PNRA/Mercer calendar. On it, you will find all the upcoming events, practices, and other important dates. At the end of each month, the calendar will be updated for the next month.

Best,

Coach Justin

Calendar November 2017 – August 2018

 

Good morning, Mercer Athletes and Parents,

Congratulations to all the Mercer athletes this weekend; all the hard work this season showed in the solid results at both regattas.  And thank you to everyone who volunteered this weekend, from stakeboaters to the Food Tent – we appreciate all your help in making this weekend a success.

Varsity Practice is CANCELLED today, Monday, November 13.  We will see everyone at the boathouse or the Cross Fit Gym on Tuesday for regular practice.  This is the final week of the Fall Season.

Attached you will find the roster for Winter Training.  Cross Fit begins this week, and Winter Training begins on the 27th. Cross Fit runs 6:30- 8:00.

 

Cross Fit Gym Address:

2101 East State Street

Hamilton, NJ 08610

 

Thank you again,

Coach Justin

GO MERCER!

Winter Triaing & Cross Fit

Dear Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Below you will find the link to the lineups and schedule for this weekend.

Please continue to check the google doc for updates on time. We will use the blog to keep you posted if anything changes.

Tentative Frostbite / Braxton Lineups and Times

GO MERCER

Hello Mercer Parents and Rowers,

Due to extreme cold and high winds, practice is canceled today for the Novice, 8th Grade and Development Teams.

Varsity Girls will practice indoors today  3:45-5:00

Varsity Boys will practice indoors today  5:00-6:15

 

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

 

Go Mercer

Hello Mercer friends and family,

This weekend marks our final races of the fall season! Below is important regatta day information along with line-ups, and approximated race times. The temperature is dropping this weekend, so please check the weather to make sure your rower has appropriate clothing for their race day.

Tentative Frostbite / Braxton Lineups and Times

If you ordered Patagonia gear, we have all the rain jackets and better sweaters at the boathouse, and the backpacks are coming next week! Please have your rower pick up their items or arrange to come by the and pick up the gear during the day. Our JL order has also arrived, if you ordered a uni or shirt they have been delivered, and outerwear should be coming next week. We have a few more pieces of Nike gear left, please double check with your rower that they have picked up what you ordered!

Next Sunday, November 19th, is our fall fundraiser at Top Golf and Silent Auction! Click here for more information and to buy your tickets to help support PNRA’s expansion! 

Greetings Mercer Families,

Two weeks ‘til tee time! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for our TopGolf Fall Fundraising Event on November 19^th are still available! To get your tickets while they last, register here.  A few bronze, silver, and gold level sponsorship spots are also up for grabs until November 9^th — information can be found on the link above.

This event is geared specifically toward the Boathouse Expansion Campaign which will address space constraints (indoor, parking, boat storage) in the current facility. The current 8th grade and Novice programs are the newest members of the Mercer family but will benefit the most from the expansion over the next few years! Please consider bringing your athlete to the event and learn more about how the expansion will impact the future of Mercer Rowing.

We also have exciting news:  the Silent Auction is up and running online! See what fabulous items are on the auction block and place your bid today!

Raffle tickets for the ‘Boat of Cheer’ will be sent home later this week with each Mercer athlete and we will notify you via blog post when that occurs.

Start working on your swing, and we’ll see you on the 19^th!

Hello Parents,

An email went out this week regarding food sign-ups for the Frostbite & Braxton. In case you missed it, read below. Also there are still a few volunteer spots (stakeboat holders) available. If you haven’t signed up yet for a volunteer shift, please see links at the bottom.

• Frostbite and Braxton spectators:  We will be cheering from the marina side of the lake – great view of much of the race and the finish line!  Look for the big blue Mercer Juniors tent just up from the finish line.
• Please double-check the signups for information about where and when to go to volunteer or to bring food for the Frostbite and Braxton.
• For both regattas, the food tent will be up and available to all.  It is a great place to cheer on the racers, meet parents, enjoy good conversation and of course enjoy the food.   There will be fruit and nutrition bars at the boathouse on Saturday and Sunday. Varsity athletes who are racing twice will have a sandwich at the boathouse as well. Racers are invited and encouraged to join everyone at the Mercer tent on the opposite side of the lake after they’ve finished with racing and boat responsibilities.
• Saturday we will be serving an Italian feast for lunch.  Please bring all items to the tent that are not marked athlete side by 11:00 am and if it is a hot dish please bring them hot. For the athlete items please give them to your racer and have the item at the boathouse by 11:00 am.
• Sunday we will be serving breakfast and lunch.  For breakfast item, please bring all items to the tent that are not marked athlete side by 7:00 am and if it is a hot dish please bring them hot. For the athlete items please give them to your racer and have the item at the boathouse by 7:00 am. For the lunch items, please bring all items to the tent that are not marked athlete side by 11:00 am and if it is a hot dish please bring them hot. For the athlete items please give them to your racer and have the item at the boathouse by 11:00 am.

Here are links to sign up for food:

Frostbite lunch

Braxton breakfast

Braxton lunch

Thank you,

Hilary, Tamara & Mary Agnes

Also, here are links to sign up for a volunteer shift (8th grade program will not be racing and this is a great chance for them to see the races up close!):

Frostbite Volunteer 

Braxton Volunteer

Thanks!

Hilary, PNRA Events Manager

Good Morning, Parents,

As we wrap up the Fall Season, it is time to start looking forward to the Winter, Spring and Summer seasons ahead of us. Included below is detailed information about the remainder of this year and plans for 2018. Please read everything below – I know it is lengthy, but this contains all the information necessary to help you plan through to August 2018!

REMAINING FALL REGATTAS

Frostbite Regatta.  This is a Varsity-only regatta on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Mercer Lake. Additional information including arrival time, rosters, and line-ups will be posted by coaches as we approach the date. Spectators are welcome to watch from the Marina side of the lake.

The tentative schedule for the Frostbite Regatta is as follows:

Time                                         Event

9:49 – 10:24 AM                    High School Women’s Four

10:31 – 11:06 AM                   High School Men’s Four

1:26 -1:54 PM                         High School Women’s Eight

2:01 – 2:43 PM                      High School Men’s Eight

 

Braxton Regatta.  This is a Novice and Varsity regatta on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Mercer Lake. Additional information including arrival time, rosters and line-ups will be posted by coaches as we approach the date. Spectators are welcome to watch from the Marina side of the lake.

The tentative schedule for the Braxton Regatta is as follows:

Time                                                                                  Event

8:00 AM                                        High School Women’s Varsity Four Time Trial

8:15 AM                                         High School Men’s Varsity Eight Time Trial

8:30 AM                                        High School Men’s Varsity Four Time Trial

8:45 AM                                        High School Women’s Varsity 8 Time Trial

9:00 AM                                        High School Men’s Novice 8 Time Trial

11:09 AM                                       High School Women’s Varsity Four Final

11:15-11:45 AM                             High School Men’s JV Eight

12:21-12:45 PM                            High School Men’s Novice Eight

12:51 PM                                       High School Men’s Varsity Eight Final

2:51-3:09 PM                               High School Women’s JV Eight

3:15-3:33 PM                               High School Women’s Novice Eight

3:39 PM                                        High School Women’s Varsity Eight Final

 

FALL BOATHOUSE CLEAN-UP DAY

Fall Boathouse Clean-up Day is November 17, 2017 during regular practice times. Athletes should bring a change of clothes that can get dirty as we will be moving launches out of the water, cleaning the erg room, boat bays and areas around the boathouse and parking lot.

 

WINTER 2017-2018 SEASON

Winter training for Varsity and Novice is by invitation only. Athletes will be notified November 13th if they have been selected for Winter training.

Varsity Winter Program

The Varsity Winter Training Season will run from November 27, 2017 to March 3rd, 2018.

Winter varsity training includes both boathouse practice and strength training. Over the past four years, the juniors have worked with physical therapist and collegiate rower Kaitlin Jackson (see bio below) to supplement the aerobic training we do throughout the winter with endurance strength training. This year we will again be working with Kaitlin, this time in space provided by CrossFit Hamilton. While our sessions will be held in a CrossFit gym, this program is not CrossFit but instead is one that has been specifically designed and tailored by Kaitlin for rowers. Every exercise the group does will simulate/reinforce the movement patterns we use to move the boat and each session will include dynamic warm-ups and post-workout stretching.  While the coaches believe this training really helps with the development of the rower, the program is completely optional and operates independently of the Mercer Rowing. The CrossFit gym is located at 2101 E State St, Hamilton, NJ  08610.

 Winter Training Schedule

 Girls Varsity:  This year the girls team will have the later training slot, from 5:30-7:45 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays (3:45-5:45 pm), and Fridays.  CrossFit begins on November 15 and will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30–8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 7:30–9:00 am.

 Boys Varsity:  This year the boys team will have the earlier training slot, from 3:45 – 5:45 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  CrossFit begins on November 16 and will be held on Thursdays from 6:30-8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 7:30-9:00 am.

 Holiday Breaks:  This year all varsity athletes will have both a Thanksgiving and Winter Break.  Thanksgiving break will be from November 19 to 26 (practice resumes on the 27th). Winter break will be from December 21 to January 1, 2018 (practice resumes on Jan 2nd). Both Coach Justin and Coach Matt will be providing workouts for the athletes to complete on their own time away from the boathouse during the holiday breaks.

There will be NO Winter Training Trip this year.

Strength Training Schedule: See attached Calendar

Kaitlin Jackson Biography

• Graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2008 (Bachelor of Science); rowed there from 2004-2008
• Graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 2011, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Assistant coach for the University of Pittsburgh Rowing team, 2008-2011
• PT for RWJUH Somerset Sports Physical Therapy (working primarily with athletic population); currently studying to become a board certified sports specialist (SCS), to be completed in March
• CrossFit Endurance trainer (strength and conditioning for endurance athletes)
• Certified running coach (utilizing pose running technique)
• Utilizes sport-specific training, strength work and mobility/recovery techniques in own training as well as with athletes
• Competes in distance triathlon events and has completed two Ironman races

 

Novice Winter Program

The Novice Winter Training Season will run from November 29, 2017 to March 3, 2018.

Schedule

The novice team will practice at the Boathouse on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:45-7:45 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am–12 noon. Novice will not participate in the CrossFit program, but instead will have strength training incorporated into their workouts at the boathouse.

Holiday Breaks:  This year all novice athletes will have both a Thanksgiving and Winter Break.  Thanksgiving break will be from November 19 to 28 (practice resumes on the 29th). Winter break will be from December 20 to January 2, 2018 (practice resumes on Jan 3rd). Both Coach Zach and Coach Amanda will be providing workouts for the athletes to complete on their own time away from the boathouse during the holiday breaks.

Cost for Varsity and Novice Winter Program 2017-2018

• Varsity Winter Training – $425
• Strength Training – $375 (Paid directly to CrossFit). Crossfit runs for 18 weeks this year vs. 14 weeks last year
• Novice Winter Training – $350

 

Winter Erg Racing

Schedule

• February 4- Mainline Slide – Ardmore, PA
• TBA- Center City Slam- Philadelphia, PA
• February 17-18 – World Indoor Rowing Championship – Alexandria, VA
• February 25- Crash B’s – Boston, MA
• March 11- Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure – Peddie School (ALL ATHLETES)

To participate at Crash B’s and the World Indoor Rowing Championship, an athlete must compete at a previous indoor race during the season. Travel and event entry arrangements associated with the winter erg races are the responsibility of athletes interested in attending. The parent coordinators or coaches will not organize it. If there are a significant number of athletes attending we will send coaching staff to assist.

 

SPRING 2018 SEASON

The Spring Season for all programs (varsity, novice, development, 8^th grade) will run from March 12, 2018** to May 18, 2018.

The Varsity programs will have a mandatory tryout session from March 5 to March 9, 2018.

Spring training will continue for athletes qualifying for Youth Nationals from May 21 to June 10, 2018

 **The spring season start date is subject to change due to ice on the lake and other weather conditions.

Cost for Spring 2018

• Varsity and Novice – $725
• Development – $400
• 8th Grade – $475

Tentative Spring 2018 Race Schedule

• CRI Race – (Top 3 Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls Boats Only) – Boston, MA – April 7
• Steve Neczypor Regatta  – (Varsity and Novice not traveling to Boston) – Pennsauken, NJ – April 7
• Cincinnati High School Invitational – (Top 3 Varsity Boys and Girls Boats Only) – Cincinnati, OH – April 14-15
• Mercer Lake Sprints – (Varsity and Novice) – Mercer Lake, April 21-22
• Saratoga Invitational – (Top 3 Varsity Boys and Girls Boats Only and Top Novice Boys and Girls Boat) – Saratoga, NY – April 28-29
• Mid-Atlantic Regionals – (Varsity and Novice) – Mercer Lake – May 12-13
• Youth Nationals – (Qualifying Crews) – Sacramento, CA – June 7-11

 

Youth Nationals Training- May 19-June 10^th

Cost: $325 – This cost covers the training period after the Spring Season ends and does not include the cost associated with the trip fee for Youth Nationals

 

SUMMER 2018 SEASON

For athletes not traveling to Youth Nationals, the summer season will run from May 21 through July 21, 2018.

For athletes going to Youth Nationals, the summer season will run from June 18 through July 21, 2018.

The Small Boats Sculling Program will run from July 30 through August 24, 2018.

Summer 2018 Race Schedule

•   Schuylkill Navy – Philadelphia – June 16
•   Independence Day Regatta – Philadelphia, PA – June 29 – July 1
•   Club Nationals  – Cooper River, Camden, NJ – July 11 – 15
•   Philly Youth Regatta – Philadelphia, PA – July 21

Cost for Summer 2018

•   Athletes not attending Youth Nationals – $725
•   Athletes attending Youth Nationals – $400
•   Small Boats Sculling Program – $350

 

FALL 2018 SEASON

The Fall Varsity Season will run from September 10, 2018 to November 16, 2018.

The Varsity programs will have a mandatory tryout session from August 27 to September 7, 2018.

The Fall 2018 Novice Season will run from September 5 to November 16, 2018.

The Fall 2018 Development and 8^th Grade Programs will run from September 5, 2018, to November 16, 2018.

Tentative Fall 2018 Race Schedule

CRI Fall Classic- Boston, MA

Head of the Housatonic – Shelton, CT

Navy Day – Philadelphia, PA

Head of the Charles- Boston, MA

Head of the Fish- Saratoga, NY

 

** Please note that no athletes participating in fall 2018 Mercer Junior Rowing programs will be permitted to use PNRA/Mercer indoor equipment or workout space from July 22 to August 27, 2018. Mercer Junior athletes who are rowing in the small boat sculling program will be allowed to use the sculling equipment associated with that program.

 

 

 

Due to the high wind and lack of indoor workout space, the Novice, 8th Grade and Development program practices scheduled for October 30th have been cancelled.  Coaches will send out suggested workouts to their athletes.

The Varsity will practice as normal.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

 

Congratulations to the Novices on a good race at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.

 Your rowers should have brought home a handout from Coaches Amanda and Zach that outline details for tomorrow’s racing at HOSR. Please give yourselves plenty of time to get your rower to the course. Kelly Drive will be shut down so rowers will have to be dropped off and walk down (or pick up the shuttles that will be running) to the trailer, which is located at trailer parking area 5. Per the note from the coaches please go to hosr.org to find maps of the parking and traffic patterns. In light of the potential for adverse weather, the PNRA tent may be used to shelter the rowers so Mercer parents will be congregating in our usual spot just north of the grandstand if it is not raining or at the grandstand (where there is plenty of cover from the weather) if it is raining. Lightning or high winds could prompt delays or schedule changes so we will do our best to keep everyone advised via the FB page. You can reach me, Jeb Barkenbush, via phone or text at 609 712 3036 if you have any questions. GO MERCER!!!

Hello Parents and Athletes,

This is just a reminder that varsity does not have practice tomorrow, Sunday, October 29th.

 

Go Mercer

 

 

Hello, Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Due to forecasted Thunderstorms and high winds, Varsity practice is canceled for today. Novice practice will have land training due to their race this weekend. Varsity Development is also canceled.

 

Also, Please let your coached know if you can’t attend the Head of the Halloween this weekend.

Good evening Mercer Athletes and Parents,

Below you will find the updated tentative travel roster for the Head of the Charles Regatta.

GO MERCER!!!!

1	Andrew Moss
2	Annie Huber
3	Brady Stergion
4	Bridget Parker
5	Chloe Couillens
6	Dana Gajewski
7	Eli Kalfaian
8	Elyssa Aronson
9	Emmanuelle Adamson
10	Erin Dobbs
11	Evan Kinter
12	Eveline Enthoven
13	Helena Wolk – Master Coxswain
14	Herbert De Cokere
15	Jack Gallagher
16	Jacqueline Armetta
17	Julia Berdzik
18	Katryna Niva
19	Kieran Wild
20	Lauren Preston
21	Leon Deng
22	Madeleine Peel
23	Mia Barkenbush
24	Morgan Linsley
25	Peri Mishkin
26	Sara Hansen
27	Sarah Closser
28	Sophie Craver

 

Tomorrow we will be posting all of the information for the trip.

Good evening Mercer Athletes and Parents,

Below you will find the tentative travel roster for the Head of the Charles Regatta.

GO MERCER!!!!

1	Annie
2	Brady
3	Bridget
4	Dana
5	Eli
6	Elyssa
7	Emmanuelle
8	Evan
9	Helena
10	Herbert
11	Jack G.
12	Jackie
13	Julia
14	Katryna
15	Kieran
16	Lauren
17	Leon
18	Maddy
19	Mia
20	Morgan
21	Moss
22	Peri
23	Sara
24	Sarah
25	Sophie
26	Varsity Girl*
27	Varsity Girl*
28	Varsity Girl*

***Will be announced after practice tomorrow

All practices tomorrow 10/8/17 are canceled. Practice will resume Monday, 10/9/17.

Still OWE Trave Guidelines and Expectations for Housatonic. Need before 4:15 today.
Lauren Glogoff
Lauren Preston
Erin Dobbs
Jacqueline Armetta
Catherine Vinch-Buck
Sophie Craver
Helena Wolk
Maheera Bawa
Olivia Andersen
Caroline Gibson
Madeleine Peel
Mia Barkenbush
Emmanuelle Adamson
Sarah Closser

Forms can be emailed to jochal@rowpnra.org

 

Best,
Coach Justin

Good morning, Mercer Varsity Athletes and Parents,

The Head of the Housatonic is this weekend.  The coaches have posted the lineups.  The races are scheduled as follows:

9:40 AM Men’s HS/Junior JV 8+

11:30 AM Women’s HS/Junior JV 8+

1:45 PM Men’s HS/Junior 8+

3:10 PM Women’s HS/Junior 8+

We are departing the boathouse at 4:15 pm on Friday, October 6, and returning the evening of Saturday, October 7.  The following meals will be provided:  dinner Friday, breakfast Saturday, lunch Saturday.  Please send money with your athlete to purchase dinner on the ride home Saturday evening.

If you have not yet done so, please fill out and return the Travel Expectations Form.  

The boys will be staying at the Courtyard Marriott- 780 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484.  The girls will be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn- 25 Old Stratford Rd, Shelton, CT 06484.

Thank you,

Coach Justin

Coach Matt

Go, Mercer!

Good morning, Mercer Varsity Athletes and Parents,

A reminder for all athletes who will be competing at the Head of the Housatonic this weekend:  please sign and return the Travel Guidelines and Expectations.  The link is here. 

Athletes must have this form signed and returned to their coaches by Thursday, October 5th so they can travel with the Team.

Thank you for your understanding.

Coach Justin

Hello, Mercer Varsity Athletes and Parents,

A clarification on Varsity practice for Sunday, October 1.

Varsity Boys will practice at the usual time:  7-9:30 am

Varsity Girls who are listed below will practice at 5 pm.

Sara	Eveline	Olivia
Mia	Chloe	Alexa
Kieran	Erin Dobbs	Erin Heyeck
Bridget	Sylvie	Caroline G
Emmanuelle	Morgan	Catherine D
Elyssa	Jackie	Catie VB
Sarah	Julia	Nathalie
Katryna	Sophie	Maheera
Maddy	Lauren	Helena

Those Varsity Girls NOT listed above will still have  practice at the usual time:  7-9:30 am

Thank you!

Coach Justin

Hello, Mercer Varsity Athletes and Parents,

The first regatta of the season is next weekend:  The Head of the Housatonic (www.headofthehousatonic.org).  This is a Varsity-only regatta scheduled for Saturday, October 7th, in Shelton, Connecticut.  The top 3 Girls Varsity boats, and the top 2 Boys Varsity boats will be competing.  The Coaches will post the roster and lineups next week.

Races are tentatively scheduled as follows:
9:40 AM Men’s HS/Junior JV 8+
11:30 AM Women’s HS/Junior JV 8+
1:45 PM Men’s HS/Junior 8+
3:10 PM Women’s HS/Junior 8+

Travel Plans:

 We are departing from the boathouse at 4:00 pm on Friday, October 6.  Athletes should arrive at the boathouse packed and prepared to leave.  They should also bring snacks and water; however, dinner will be provided.  We will be traveling in 4 vans, driven by parent volunteers.  There will be a chaperone assigned to each boat competing at the event (this means 5 chaperones, even though we have 4 vans). Attached here you will find the Travel Guidelines and Expectations. If your athlete is on the travel roster, this form needs to be signed and returned no later than October 5th. This is required, or your athlete will not be able to travel with the team.

We will provide updates on ETA’s, as well as results, on Facebook.  We will do what we can to post on the blog as well, but please use Facebook as your primary source of communication.

Hotel Details:

PNRA has secured rooms at Courtyard Marriott and Hilton Garden Shelton for athletes and coaches.

Courtyard Marriott- 780 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484 – Boys
Hilton Garden Inn- 25 Old Stratford Rd, Shelton, CT 06484 – Girls

Meals:

The following meals will be provided:

Dinner Friday, October 6

Breakfast at Hilton Garden Saturday, October 7

Lunch from Panera Saturday, October 7

We will be stopping on the way home Saturday for dinner.  Please have your athlete bring money for dinner.  In addition, please have your athlete packs snacks and a water bottle.  There is limited access to food at the regatta site, so we will do our best to have what we need on hand, but it is always a good policy to pack extra items.

Cost: $300.00.  The link to register will be up when lineups are posted on Monday, October 2nd.

Thanks to all the parents who offered to help/drive/support etc..  And a special thank you to our parent chaperones for volunteering their time.

Coach Justin
Coach Matt

Go, Mercer!

 

 

 

Are you athletic and artistic? Do you like swag? Click link the for details on the Logo design contest for the PNRA Fall Fundraising Event.

 

 

Mercer Athletes and Parents,

A reminder about practice times, as we have several levels of development at Mercer.

The 8th Grade Development Team practices Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 4 – 6 pm

The Novice Team practices Monday – Friday, 4 – 6 pm

The Mercer Juniors Development Team practices Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:15 pm

The Mercer Varsity Team practices Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:15 pm, and Sunday 7 – 9:30 am

And a reminder to please respect the drop off and pick up protocol in the parking lot; we have many athletes coming and going in the afternoon, and we want to ensure their safety.  

Regards,

Coach Justin

Hello Mercer Athletes and Parents,

Due to the weather predicted for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20th. We might have to cancel practice for the novice groups. Please be on the lookout for an update via 313131. Please sign up for the text alert by texting PNRA to 313131.

Hello Mercer families and friends,

The boathouse is lively with all our programs back in full swing! The varsity teams had their first ever try out period with over 100 rowers participating in the two-week process. This surge of rowers is a great sign for future depth on the varsity side of the program. They now have their sites set on the Head of the Housatonic and the Head of the Charles coming up in October.

The novice program was split into the novice team and an 8^th grade development program. This division will be important in teaching technical skill and time management to the younger 8^th grade athletes. By giving them additional time in the sport at a lower intensity, we can foster not only good technique, but also a love of the sport.

The novice athletes, now consisting of 9^th graders and above, are off and running! Both the boys and girls teams have about 30 athletes and a shiny new ‘barge’ to practice with. The barge was purchased from Peddie and is an incredibly useful tool for coaches and rowers alike. This extra-wide boat allows 12 rowers to practice their stroke in a much more stable environment. A coach can walk down the middle of the barge and help correct technique in a more hands on way, which makes getting into the racing shells more comfortable for the novice. We love it!

Our novice and varsity teams were given a special opportunity last week, the National team’s nutritionist, Liz Fusco, spoke with the athletes on proper nutrition and hydration. She gave an hour-long talk focusing on how to hydrate, recover, and replenish muscles for a more successful workout. This information is invaluable to our growing athletes, and many have started making healthy changes to their pre-workout diet (hint: simple carbohydrates, protein and water!). Recovery Fact Sheet 2015

We had varsity and novice parent meetings over the last two weekends, so if you missed your team’s meeting we have attached the handouts in a prior blog post. Thank you to all the parents for coming out and learning about your son/daughter’s sport!

GO MERCER!!!!

 

Hello Parents,

Attached you will find the handout that was given out during the meeting.

Best,

Coach Justin

 

2017FallNoviceProgram

Fall8thProgram

Hello, Mercer Parents,

Many of you have asked how to join the Parents Facebook Page.  The parents-only page is Parents of MJRC.  Ask to join, and we will add you.  Almost everything you need to know will be posted on the Mercer Blog, but the Parents of MJRC is often where you will find (or can add) pictures from regattas or find out how Mercer alumni are doing.  

If you have questions, you can always contact the Parent Coordinators:  Jeb Barkenbush (girls), jebarken@gmail.com; Jen Closser (boys), closserj@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Hello Parents,

Attached you will find the handout that was given out during the meeting. Just a reminder that practice this Sunday, September 17, 2017, is 7:00-9:30 am at the Boathouse.

2017 Fall Parents Meeting

Best,

Coach Justin

Varsity Parents and Athletes,

Tomorrow’s practice will be 12-2:30 pm at the Boathouse.

Best,

Coach Justin